DGSHAPE Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Roland DG Corporation and a leading provider of dental milling solutions, has announced the launch of two new 5-axis dental mills: the DWX-52DCi Automatic Disc Changer model, with new DWINDEX software for monitoring return-on-investment and productivity at a glance, and the DWX-52D, the successor model to the industry-standard DWX-51D.

Since their introduction in 2010, DWX-series dental mills have gained widespread recognition and industry awards for their compact desktop size, user-friendliness, robust reliability and open architecture, which has contributed to the mainstream digitalisation of dental laboratories worldwide. The DWX-52DCi and DWX-52D add exciting new features and capabilities to further automate and optimise the digital dental workflow.

The DWX-52DCi features an Automatic Disc Changer (ADC), capable of loading up to six discs of different materials, enabling discs to be replaced automatically during milling to maximise lab productivity. In addition, the DWX-52DCi supports new DWINDEX management software for monitoring key productivity indexes, including operation time, materials used and deliverables. According to Kohei Tanabe, President of DGSHAPE Corporation, the company developed DWINDEX to simplify information gathering and decision making for busy lab managers. “Now, you can see at glance when to order materials, replace tools or determine your return-on-investment. These features will also become key elements when digital dentistry enters the era of IoT and AI."

The DWX-52D is equipped with a new snap-on clamp system which offers the fast and secure set-up of various materials and maximises disc usage, making lab operation easier and more efficient than ever. Both mills feature cutting-edge dental technologies, including an Automatic Tool Changer (ATC) for fully automated 5-axis milling of a wide range of materials, including Zirconia, wax, PMMA, gypsum, PEEK, glass fibre-reinforced resin, composite resin and CoCr sinter metal. Typical applications include crowns, copings, bridges, inlays and onlays, veneers, abutments, implant bars, screw-retained crowns, dentures, models, surgical guides and bite splints.

The ATC is capable of holding 15 tools for uninterrupted milling overnight, with an additional slot dedicated to a cleaning tool for maintaining a clean milling operation. Continuing DGSHAPE’s reputation for high-quality, precision milling, both mills include a rigid frame with ball screw axis control, automatic calibration of all five axes, and an ioniser for reducing static electricity when milling PMMA. Air pressure is adjusted automatically, depending on the type of material being milled, for continuous, reliable production.

Other advanced features include a Virtual Machine Panel (VPanel) which allows users to quickly configure settings for up to four machines from a single computer for high-volume production. To help minimise downtime, the VPanel monitors operational status and sends email notifications at the end of milling or if operator intervention is required.

“The DWX-52DCi and DWX-52D are the latest in a long line of DGSHAPE products designed to satisfy our customers’ demands for easy-to-use, plug-and-play devices that can be operational out of the box within minutes,” Tanabe comments. “The open architecture means they can be used with the CAD/CAM software that dental technicians are already familiar with to cut learning time and create the optimum workflow for every production environment.”

DGSHAPE Corporation was spun-off of Roland DG Corporation in April 2017. “The mission of DGSHAPE,” Tanabe said, “is to harness the 3D digital fabrication technologies and expertise that Roland DG has developed over more than three decades as well as its proprietary digital cell production system and global customer service and support in order to provide advanced digital solutions that shape the future.”

DGSHAPE Corporation was formed in 2017 by Roland DG Corporation as a wholly-owned subsidiary to develop and market the company’s innovative 3D products, including DWX mills and DWP 3D printer for the dental industry, MPX photo impact printers and EGX engravers for the industrial labelling and personalisation industries and MDX and monoFab series of desktop milling machines for the rapid prototyping, manufacturing and hobby industries. The company’s products are distributed worldwide.

About Roland DG Corporation

Roland DG Corporation is a leading manufacturer of digital devices designed to help professionals as well as craft makers and hobbyists transform their imagination into reality. Products include the TrueVIS, SOLJET, VersaCAMM, VersaUV and Texart series large-format inkjet printers and the CAMM-1 and STIKA vinyl cutters for the sign, vehicle graphics, personalisation, apparel and textile decoration industries. In 2017, Roland DG formed DGSHAPE Corporation to develop and market the company’s 3D products, including DWX mills and DWP 3D printer for the dental industry, MPX photo impact printers for the medical device, industrial labelling and personalisation industries and MDX and monoFab series of desktop 3D printers and milling machines for rapid prototyping, manufacturing and hobby industries. The company uses its proprietary cell production technology to manufacture products that are distributed in over 200 countries and regions worldwide.